{"id":304943,"date":"2023-10-16T17:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T11:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=304943"},"modified":"2023-10-19T11:18:24","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T05:48:24","slug":"dhc-upholds-asis-selection-procedure-for-obtaining-new-license-legal-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/10\/16\/dhc-upholds-asis-selection-procedure-for-obtaining-new-license-legal-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Delhi High Court upholds ASI\u2019s selection procedure for obtaining new licence to work as photographers in protected monuments"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Delhi High Court:<\/span> In a case wherein a writ petition was filed seeking issuance of appropriate directions from this Court for quashing and setting aside Clause 2.7 of “The Policy for Archaeological Survey of India (‘ASI’) Photographers to perform within Centrally Protected Monuments” (‘ASI Photographers Policy’) notified by ASI, the Division Bench of Manmohan and Mini Pushkarna*<\/span>, JJ., held that there was a reasonable classification that had been made by ASI for revalidation of licences of the photographers who had licence prior to 2012 and grant of licence to the photographers who were the new entrants after 2012 who had no prior licence in photography from ASI. Thus, there was no fault with the policy of ASI which was reasonable and fair. The Court further held that obtaining licence by following the due selection procedure laid down by ASI did not in any manner violate the right of the petitioners under Article 19(1)(g)<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Background<\/p>\n

By way of Clause 2.7 of the amended policy, the licences granted by ASI to photographers prior to 2012 were revalidated subject to the said photographers undergoing refresher courses with test conducted by the ASI. The petitioners had worked as photographers within ASI protected monuments since the year 2012 but were not covered by Clause 2.7 of the amended policy as they did not have any previous licence issued by ASI prior to 2012, and thus, were required to take written test, practical\/viva-voce for grant of fresh licence as photographers in terms of the amended policy. Being aggrieved by the amended policy, the present writ petition had been filed by the petitioners.<\/p>\n

Analysis, Law, and Decision<\/p>\n

The Court noted that in accordance with the notification, issued by ASI in 2012, there was no necessity for any photographer to have a licence from 2012 onwards to operate within the Centrally Protected Monuments for the purposes of taking photographs of the visiting tourists. Thus, the petitioners were the photographers who started operating in ASI Protected Monuments taking advantage of the 2012 policy under which no licence as photographer was required. Now, after the notification of ASI Photographers Policy on 24-05-2017 and amended on 17-07-2018, all the persons who intended to operate as photographers in ASI Protected Monuments, were required to obtain a licence from ASI.<\/p>\n

The Court observed that all valid licences granted by ASI prior to 2012 were acknowledged under the policy, subject to revalidation and it was clearly stipulated that the licences granted by ASI prior to 2012 shall require to be revalidated subject to the condition that the candidates must undergo refresher course with test conducted by ASI. The Court further observed that all the other candidates who did not have any licence granted by ASI prior to 2012 would have to apply for licence which shall be granted after following the due process of selection. Educational qualifications and experience criteria had been prescribed under the policy and the selection process comprised of written test, practical and viva-voce.<\/p>\n

The Court observed that ASI was the Regulating Authority in respect of Monuments of national importance which had been protected under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958<\/a> and under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959<\/a>, ASI was empowered to regulate the actions and activities within the premises of the protected monuments. Thus, as per the policy notified by ASI on 24-05-2017, and amended on 17-07-2018, there shall be licences for purposes of taking photographs of visitors. The Court further observed that the licences were granted based on various eligibility conditions like age limit, educational qualifications, undergoing selection process which included written test, practical and viva-voce for the candidates who were applying for licence for the first time and for the candidates who were granted licence prior to 2012, they had to undergo refresher courses with test conducted by ASI for revalidation of their licence. Further, the educational qualifications were applicable only for fresh candidates who joined photography after 2012.<\/p>\n

The Court opined that ASI required the photographers who were granted licence prior to 2012 to undergo refresher course, with test conducted by ASI for revalidation of their licence and in view of the said refresher courses being conducted by ASI, the photographers who were granted licence prior to 2012 were sought to be updated on the latest photographic techniques with a view to bring them at par with new photographers, enabling them to compete with the new photographers.<\/p>\n

The Court held that there was a reasonable classification that had been made by ASI for revalidation of licences of the photographers who had licence prior to 2012 and grant of licence to the photographers who were the new entrants after 2012 who had no prior licence in photography from ASI. Thus, there was no fault with the policy of ASI which was reasonable and fair. The Court opined that there was rationale in the classification and categorization made on behalf of ASI, as the photographers having licence prior to 2012 constituted a separate class altogether and the photographers who were applying for licence for operating in ASI Protected Monuments for the first time, were a different class and could not claim to be at par with the photographers who had valid licences from ASI prior to 2012 in terms of the then policy of ASI.<\/p>\n

The Court relied on State of Kerala<\/span> v. N.M. Thomas<\/span>, (1976) 2 SCC 310<\/a>, wherein the Supreme Court held that “equality does not connote absolute equality and that the rule of differentiation is inherent in the concept of equality”<\/span>. The Court opined that “Article 14<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a> does not forbid reasonable classification, which is founded on intelligible differentia which distinguishes persons or things that are grouped together from others left out in the group”<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The Court opined that it was palpable that ASI Photographers Policy had been notified by ASI with an objective to regulate the photographers within the Centrally Protected Monuments and to ameliorate the condition and treatment of visitors and tourists in the said monuments. Thus, the Court held that there was a reasonable nexus in the policy notified by ASI. The Court further held that obtaining licence by following the due selection procedure laid down by ASI did not in any manner violate the right of the petitioners under Article 19(1)(g)<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a>. The policy mandating the obtaining of licence to work as photographers in ASI protected monuments had been notified by ASI in larger public interest to regulate the quality and conduct of photographers for the benefit of visitors and tourists.<\/p>\n

The Court further held that the policy was being applied prospectively by ASI and all those persons who seek to operate as photographers in ASI protected monuments were liable to obtain licence from ASI after participating in the prescribed selection process and merely because the petitioners had operated as photographers without licence in the past owing to the policy in vogue at the material time that did not require licence, did not obviate the requirement of obtaining licence in terms of the policy that was prevalent now. Thus, the Court dismissed the present writ petition.<\/p>\n

[Mata Prasad v. Union of India, 2023 SCC OnLine Del 6376<\/a>, decided on 06-10-2023<\/span>]<\/p>\n\n

Advocates who appeared in this case :<\/p>\n

For the Petitioners: Taranpreet Singh, Dharm Prakash, Mohd. Shameem, Advocates<\/p>\n

For the Respondents: Monika Arora, Rakesh Kumar, CGSC; Vikrant N. Goyal, Jeet Chakravarti, Rituparna Sahoo, Subrodeep Saha, Prakriti Bandhan, Sunil, Advocates<\/p>\n

Buy Constitution of India  HERE<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"Constitution<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Primary aim of refresher course is to strengthen knowledge of old photographer in the light of advancement that has occurred in field of photography, equipment and related techniques, digital mode, etc. The refresher course is intended to upgrade all old school photographers and enhance their knowledge and skill, as digital technology has modified entire process of camera and photographs.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":303940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[56578,45651,2543,9541,61961,61960,61962],"class_list":["post-304943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casebriefs","category-highcourts","tag-archaeological-survey-of-india","tag-asi","tag-Delhi_High_Court","tag-licence","tag-photographers","tag-protected-monuments","tag-selection-procedure"],"yoast_head":"\nDelhi HC upholds ASI's selection procedure for obtaining new license to work as photographers in protected monuments | SCC Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Delhi High Court upheld selection procedure of Archaeological Survey of India's for obtaining new license to work as photographers in protected monuments.\" \/>\n<meta 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Delhi High Court directs ASI to produce 109-year-old records","author":"Simranjeet","date":"July 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe Managing Committee of the Waqf Board contended that the Mughal Mosque situated near Qutub Minar did not fall within the protected monuments as notified by the Archaeological Survey of India in a notification dated 24-1-2014.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"delhi high court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/delhi-high-court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/delhi-high-court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/delhi-high-court.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/delhi-high-court.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":241022,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/12\/21\/archaeological-survey-of-india-removes-cap-on-the-number-of-visitors-to-its-centrally-protected-monuments-sites\/","url_meta":{"origin":304943,"position":2},"title":"Archaeological Survey of India removes cap on the number of visitors to its Centrally Protected Monuments\/ sites","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"December 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The \u00a0Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of M\/o Culture has removed the cap on the number of visitors to its Centrally Protected Monuments\/ sites. This is as per the latest communication on the updated SOPs for \u00a0Centrally Protected Monuments\/ sites, issued by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on 18 December\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hot Off The Press"","block_context":{"text":"Hot Off The Press","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/news\/hot_off_the_press\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":352017,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/01\/mp-hc-denies-performance-urs-hazrat-sheikh-muhammad-ghaus-dargah\/","url_meta":{"origin":304943,"position":3},"title":"Read why Madhya Pradesh HC denied observance of Urs at Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus Dargah","author":"Sonali Ahuja","date":"July 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cConstitutional vision and morality ought to prevail over personal and vested interests. It deserves to be protected with utmost care and caution, and no activity as sought by the petitioner can be permitted lest the monument lose its originality, sanctity, and vitality.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Urs at Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus Dargah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Urs-at-Hazrat-Sheikh-Muhammad-Ghaus-Dargah.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Urs-at-Hazrat-Sheikh-Muhammad-Ghaus-Dargah.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Urs-at-Hazrat-Sheikh-Muhammad-Ghaus-Dargah.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Urs-at-Hazrat-Sheikh-Muhammad-Ghaus-Dargah.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":362833,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/07\/del-hc-constitutes-committee-for-encroachment-tughlakabad-fort\/","url_meta":{"origin":304943,"position":4},"title":"Delhi High Court constitutes Committee to supervise removal of encroachments at Tughlakabad Fort","author":"Editor","date":"October 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 was made by the legislature of the day expressing the solemn desire and wish of the people of the Country to preserve their heritage and historical ethos. The Tughlakabad Fort is one such ancient monument which is of national importance,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Tughlakabad Fort","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Tughlakabad-Fort.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Tughlakabad-Fort.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Tughlakabad-Fort.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Tughlakabad-Fort.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":280743,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/12\/30\/religious-structures-and-graveyards-will-not-be-demolished-in-the-removal-of-unauthorized-encroachers-from-the-mehrauli-archaeological-park-delhi-high-court\/","url_meta":{"origin":304943,"position":5},"title":"Religious Structures and Graveyards will not be demolished in the removal of unauthorized encroachers from the Mehrauli Archaeological Park: Delhi High Court","author":"Editor","date":"December 30, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The Delhi High Court had dismissed a petition against the removal of \u2018unauthorized encroachers\u2019 from the Mehrauli Archaeological Park area while recording that religious structures as well as graveyards will not be demolished in the process.","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Delhi High Court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/MicrosoftTeams-image-418.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=304943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304943\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/303940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=304943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=304943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=304943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}